It’s 2021, which means we’ve had almost one year of re-organizing, re-planning, and restructuring how we think about present-day weddings. The pandemic has brought many changes to this industry, allowing us to see so many shifts in wedding trends. But honestly, we are here for the changes! Personalized and intimate celebrations are in!

Smaller Guest Lists

Mini weddings, micro weddings, minimonies, and elopements have been the biggest trends we’ve seen thus far! Wedding guest lists have quickly decreased. A guest count average of 50-75 people has become the new norm, much smaller than the prior average of 150-200 people. Smaller, more intimate celebrations are all the rage and while it may not have been part of the original plan, we are loving it!!

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Virtual Celebrations

The smaller guest counts have left couples wondering how to include the rest of their original guest list in their special day. A virtual wedding is the best way to include your friends and family who aren’t attending your wedding in person. Want to make them feel even more special? Send them some favors or gift boxes prior to the event so that they can have their own watch party from home! Some of our favorite items to include are local chocolates/candies, a couple of champagne flutes, and some popcorn!

Many videographers have added live stream services to their packages, and we’ve seen a couple of new companies pop up to take advantage of this immediate need! Be sure to reach out to your videographer or Wedding Planner for advice on the best way to live stream your wedding!

Alternative Wedding Day / Time

Many couples are turning to weekday weddings this year! Having an open mind about this new trend could be beneficial to you because it opens up your venue and vendors’ availability for your date! The plethora of rescheduled 2020 weddings competing for 2021 time slots could make things a bit difficult, but weekday weddings could also allow for some budget savings. Venue pricing is usually significantly reduced on a Thursday rather than a prime Saturday slot!

Some couples are also opting for a brunch wedding for those same reasons! Don’t knock it till you try it – brunch weddings can be SO fun! Picture chicken and waffles alongside a Mimosa and Bloody Mary bar! This is your chance to get really creative with your wedding and make it something truly unique to the two of you!

Bold Décor

Most people had already budgeted a certain amount of money for their wedding. As most of you know, the guest list is the easiest way to decrease or increase that number. With smaller guest lists on the rise, couples are able to spend more of that budget money on their décor! We’re seeing more elaborate tablescapes with specialty linens, stunning floral arrangements, and upgraded china. Luscious ceremony backdrops are everywhere, as well as specialty light installations and mismatched table sizes and shapes!

Personalized Food Service

Buffets and food stations may soon become a thing of the past! Many couples are leaning towards plated meal services for obvious sanitary reasons, but this can still be a fun way to show your personality! Hors D’oeuvres are being served in bento boxes, cocktails in bottles or cans, and charcuterie boards are being made custom to each guest’s taste buds! Have you all seen anything cuter than a mini cheese board?!

We are also seeing much smaller cakes with more dynamic details. Two or more single tier cakes are being displayed together to make a statement. Cake pops and cupcakes have been more popular than ever before, and dessert tables are becoming a regular part of a wedding reception

We know this pandemic brought some hard changes to weddings, but we have all learned to pivot and are now embracing all of the wonderful opportunities that are now the future of celebrations!